Situated in central Pennsylvania's Brush Valley, camping near Coburn offers access to the diverse natural landscape along Penn's Creek and the surrounding mountains. The valley floor sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation with nearby ridges reaching up to 2,000 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F, while summer nights typically cool to the mid-60s even when days reach into the 80s.
What to do
Fishing Penn's Creek: Poe Paddy State Park provides excellent fishing access along Penn's Creek. "I grew up camping here and it's a great place to stay! Penn's Creek runs beside it...it's a lot of fun to float the creek. Great fishing too! No cell service," notes Rebecca G. in her review of Poe Paddy State Park Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Trails surrounding the area offer varying difficulty levels with connections to longer routes. Fernando V. shares about Poe Paddy: "Walks are nice, we went to the tunnel about a mile away. Very beautiful when crossing the bridge. You can go to Poe Valley park to the beach at the like in about 20 min."
Water activities on local lakes: Beyond fishing, visitors can enjoy swimming and boating. "The lake is beautiful but you can't even see it from the campsites," explains Nick S. about Bald Eagle State Park. While some campgrounds have limited water visibility from sites, most offer good lake access within walking distance.
What campers like
Secluded creek access: Many sites near Coburn feature creek-side camping with varying levels of privacy. "We had site 108 and had a site path right to the creek," shares Jolene J. about Poe Paddy. "The creek and river are perfect for curious little ones to explore. Great fishing spot. The walk to the tunnel is quick and easy for all ages."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews is the maintenance of bathroom facilities. "Clean campground. Quiet. Some hiking. Lake nearby but weather didn't permit the use of the lake," notes Cathy in her review of Greenwood Furnace State Park. Most state parks in the area maintain well-kept facilities even during peak season.
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural location creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. Ann P. from Greenwood Furnace appreciates that "we saw the Milky Way!" The limited light pollution throughout the region makes glamping in Coburn, Pennsylvania particularly appealing for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the Coburn region have minimal to no connectivity. "There's NO cell service and park rangers do 'rounds' but aren't stationed at the site," explains Joanna H. about Little Pine State Park. Plan accordingly by downloading maps and information before arrival.
Site selection matters: The camping experience varies significantly based on site location within each campground. "Definitely look at pictures of your site before reserving. The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable," advises Greg J. about Russell P. Letterman Campground.
Weather impacts: The mountainous terrain can create localized weather patterns. Danielle S. notes: "It was very windy the night we stayed and the following morning as well. Because our tent stakes were anchored in mud, our tent blew over and collapsed." Sites with better drainage and wind protection are worth requesting.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "The kids had fun riding the bikes around the loop and taking the short cuts cut in around the loop. We had fun walking to the foot bridge to go fishing," shares Erik E. about Black Moshannon State Park.
Swimming options: Public swimming areas provide family-friendly water access. "There is a nice park for the kids to play. The blacksmith shop was very educational! Great trails to hike!" explains Amanda H. about Greenwood Furnace State Park, highlighting the educational opportunities alongside recreation.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities enhance the glamping experience in Coburn area parks. Cheryl W. recounts: "We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park and the ranger set up binoculars for us to try and see the nest."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary between campgrounds and specific sites. "I'm not sure about other sites, but we did not have a water hookup, just a spigot we could fill from. The dump station worked fine and was clean. Power pole was in rough shape but worked," notes Greg J. about Russell P Letterman Campground.
Site leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain means some sites require extra work to level RVs. James P. notes about Little Pine State Park Campground: "The sites are very spacious with a picnic table and fire rings and are easy to back into even with a rig as big as ours."
Seasonal availability: Most luxury glamping and RV-friendly sites in the Coburn region operate seasonally. Larry B. reports from Poe Paddy: "We loved this place. Small campground with spacious spots. No cell phone coverage (that is a plus for us!). Downside is the vault toilets." Most upscale glamping sites close between mid-December and early April.
